World Championships: Akane Yamaguchi, Shi Yuqi crash out in Glasgow

Glasgow: Top favorites Lin Dan and Chen Long advanced as expected, but the upset-riddled World Championships took another hit when women’s singles No. 1 seed Akane Yamaguchi and men’s singles No. 4 seed Shi Yuqi were ousted by their respective opponents on Thursday.

Akane Yamaguchi was outsteadied by the quick-moving No. 9 seed Chen Yufei of China who won the World Junior champion last year. Chen won the first set 21-18, she then reeled off six consecutive points from 11-14 down in the second set to eventually take the game 21-19.

“I’ve set a goal for myself to be able to beat Akane this year, and I’ve achieved it. This is the best result of my career, and am extremely excited,” said Chen.

Chen will take on Thailand’s eighth seed Ratchanok Intanon in the quarter-finals.

In the men’s singles, No. 4 seed Shi Yuqi of China joined the list as one of the casualties at the World Championships, which has been badly hit by upsets and retirements. The 21-year-old rising star from China was defeated by No. 12 seed Vincent Wong Wing Ki of Hong Kong 21-13, 15-21, 21-16 in 73 minutes.

Five-time champions Lin Dan of China made another 3-set battle in his bid to win a record sixth World Championships title by beating No. 16 seed Rajiv Ouseph of England 14-21 , 21-17, 21-16 in 80 minutes. Lin Dan also needed 82 minutes before he overcame stiff challenge from Emil Holst of Denmark 19-21, 21-8, 21-16 on Wednesday.

Lin will take on Vincent Wong Wing Ki in the last eight.

Meanwhile, defending champion Chen Long was able to restore order with a straight-set wins over No. 13 seed Ajay Jayaram of India 21-11, 21-10. Chen will face teammate Tian Houwei on Friday for a place in the semi-final.